The city of Brighton and Hove is doubling the number of streets with a 20mph limit. Previously in force only in the city centre, the restriction will now apply to roads in the north, east and west.

The Green-controlled City Council agreed on March 4th to extend the limit. ‘Phase 2’ focuses on residential streets, while most of the main arterial roads – such as Old Shoreham Road, New Church Road, Ditchling Road, London Road and Lewes Road – are proposed to remain at their current speed limits.

The programme will be rolled out over the next two to three years, with 20mph limits introduced in the Phase 2 areas in the summer. Consultation on Phase 3, which will cover outer areas such as Portslade village, is expected to begin later this year.

Brighton & Hove City Council says that the new limit is better for cyclists: “it leads to a reduction in road collisions and the severity of casualties, improves in the quality of life of local neighbourhoods and encourages more walking and cycling for local trips”. Local cyclists agree, with Duncan Blinkhorn of Bike Train telling the BBC: “Anything that makes the roads safer and feel more civilised and calmer is a great thing for the city, for cyclists but also for everyone else.”